'Fractions' Exhibit, Reception for Area Artists Set Oct. 21, 2004 at TAMIU

'Fractions' Exhibit, Reception for Area Artists
Set Oct. 21 at TAMIU

On Thursday, October 21, the Laredo community will have the opportunity
to meet five young artists and experience their emotional and evocative
artwork at an Artists Reception, to be held at Texas A&M International
University's Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery from 5:30
to 8 p.m. The artwork will be on display at TAMIU through Thursday, November
11, from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Alma Haertlein, assistant professor of art and organizer of the show,
explained the goal of the TAMIU Gallery is to expose students to a variety
of approaches to art.

"The previous show highlighted traditional approaches of representational
art. We wanted our students to see the other extreme, artists working
at the extreme edges of art, exploring various media and subject matter
that might not be comfortable for the artist or viewer," said Haertlein.

She said what links all five artists is their willingness to experiment
and go beyond what they learned in art classes, and an awareness of contemporary
art in larger cities such as San Antonio and beyond.

"Some of the artists are dealing with explicit themes of sexuality
and gender in a thought-provoking way -- questioning our society's obsession
with how we look and what is perceived as 'normal' or 'beautiful,' "
explained Haertlein, reminding viewers, "As a university art department
we have an obligation to present art that deals with challenging and difficult
issues in contemporary art."

Buentello graduated from University of Texas - Austin with a bachelors
of fine arts, with a concentration in ceramics. She is currently a graduate
student at the UT Austin School of Architecture, studying landscape architecture.
She will exhibit ceramic and installation sculpture, as well as paintings.

Chapa will graduate this Fall from Texas State University - San Marcos
with a bachelors in art history. He and García will present the
performance art piece "NUM" during the opening reception.

García graduated from UT Austin with a bachelors of fine arts,
with a concentration in digital art media and installation media. In addition
to the collaborative piece with Chapa, he will exhibit three videos.

López studied studio art at Laredo Community College and is a
self-taught artist, writer and historian. He will exhibit drawings and
paintings.

Walton received her bachelors of fine arts in painting from Winthrop
University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She will be exhibiting paintings.

For more information about "Fractions," please contact Haertlein
at 326.3041, visit offices in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts,
room 208A, or e-mail almah@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests
and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information
Services at pais@tamiu.edu